Colonel Thomas Edward Sledge, Jr. (retired U.S. Air Force) took his final flight Saturday, December 2, 2017, at 8:30 am at Mainland Hospital in Texas City, Texas.

The Colonel was born December 29, 1921, to Mildred Russell Sledge and Thomas Edward Sledge, Sr. in Louise, Mississippi. He spent his childhood in Shreveport, Louisiana with his mother and younger brother Russell. After graduation from Byrd High School at age 17, he traveled to Texas City to work in his father’s pharmacy. He was attending the University of Texas in Austin to study medicine when WWII began in Europe. He immediately joined the Army Air Corps as an Aviation Cadet the day after the Pearl Harbor attack in 1941. He was commissioned as a 2nd Lt. on July 4, 1942. As a navigator, he flew 45 combat missions in China-Burma-India during WWII and 50 missions during the Korean conflict in the 1950’s. In his 28-year career in the Air Force, he participated in the Bikini Atomic Bomb tests in the Pacific, was stationed in Germany and was heavily involved in the Cuban Missile Crisis as a war planner at the Pentagon.The Colonel was awarded 17 medals and ribbons, including two Distinguished Flying Crosses, the Meritorious Service Medal, the Air Medal and the Air Force Commendation Medal.

As WWII was ending, he married Doris McCauley on April 24, 1945. They enjoyed living on various Air Force bases as a military family while raising their three children, Sylvia, Tommy and Sydney. He taught them life lessons in discipline and instilled educational skills through his love of books and reading along with music and geography. Always a strong supporter of his children, he encouraged them to keep an open and curious mind along with a strong sense of adventure.

While serving his country, he also managed to graduate from college, receiving his bachelor’s degree in business administration from Park College in Kansas City, MO. After retiring from the Air Force, he established the first Air Force Junior ROTC unit at Dickinson High School in 1972 and ran it for eight years. He was very proud of his students and of the ROTC program that is still going strong today.

The Colonel was an avid reader, hunter and fisherman. He enjoyed playing and watching golf, traveling, and dancing to country western music and his favorite Big Bands. To honor the country, he loved so dearly as well as to commemorate his commission date he hosted annual 4th of July celebrations at his home across from the birth place of the U.S. Air Force.

He was preceded in death by his mother and father, wife Doris McCauley Sledge, son Thomas E. Sledge III, brother, Russell L. Sledge and his beloved companion, Audrey Drebo. He is survived by his two daughters Sylvia and husband Richard (Dick) Bigler and Sydney Sledge and husband Darrel Barnett. His sister-in-law Sharon Gordy and numerous nieces and nephews from the Anna Mae and Henry McCauley family. He also leaves behind his loving and devoted companion Imogene Christian and her extended family.

The family wishes to express our appreciation and gratitude to the Colonel’s long-time friends Tommy and Liz Watkins, Charlie and Olivia Brower, Dave and Fran Shades, and Dee Ann Haney. Special thanks to the staff of Mainland Hospital, especially ICU nurses Cherry and Anita for their care and compassion.

Our deepest and most heartfelt thanks to Emma Stanley for her 10 months of caregiving to `The Colonel’. Emma became his Staff Sergeant while he was declining in health and provided the support and witty encouragement to fly on through each day.

Visitation will be at Emken-Linton Funeral Home in Texas City at 1:00 pm on Friday, December 8, 2017. Services will begin at 2:00 pm followed by burial at Galveston Memorial Park in Hitchcock, Texas. The Colonel will be honored and buried on December 8, 2017, the same day he joined the Army Air Corp 76 years earlier in 1941.

In lieu of flowers, The Colonel can be honored by donations to the charity of your choice or to the TCISD Foundation for the Future, a scholarship fund supporting excellence in education in the Texas City Independent School District. 1700 Ninth Avenue, Texas City, TX 77590 http://www.tcisd.org/departments/foundation

Our Officer and Gentleman will be dearly missed by many ~ Fly High Colonel

Guestbook Entries

Dear Sylvia and Dick:We did not hear about your father's passing until too late to attend the services on December 8th. That is amazing that his services were held exactly on the same date that he volunteered for the Air Force 76 years ago. Tom had an outstanding career in the Air Force and also continued by his establishing the local ROTC unit. I know that he greatly enjoyed history and especially World War II military history because he made a significant part of it by his Air Force service. His interest was not confined to the aviation branch. He showed a great deal of interest in the naval history that I discussed with him at your house during one of our visits. It was a thrill for me to introduce him to the survivors of the USS Houston after I had told them the story about his being the bombardier who had attacked the ship that was transporting them to their POW camp near Rangoon, Burma during World War II. It was fortunate that his bombs were near misses. He was a fine gentleman and I know that you both will miss him a great deal as will we but you can rejoice in the fact that he had a very full and productive life. With our sympathies, Nancy and Carter Conlin

Nancy and Carter Conlin

Houston, TX

Thank you for your service Colonel. You were a remarkable man with pure integrity that you instilled in your children. Wishing the family peace to bring comfort, courage to face the days ahead and loving memories to forever hold in your hearts. With sincerest love and sympathy~Tamara & Kelly

Tamara Forsbeck

Leander, TX

Dear Sylvia, We are so very sorry for your loss. Your dad was a strong force of nature and we really enjoyed getting to know him. We love you and Dick and Sydney and are thinking about you and your family at this difficult time. Rick, Sandy, Adrianne and Michelle and Families.

Rick and Sandy Dahlke, Adrianne and Michelle

Houston, TX

We have lost a great man!! My prayers are for the family during this very difficult time! May God comfort and give you peace.

Kathy White

Montgomery, TX

Thank you Tom for you Service & I will remember the good times eating out at our seafood place. Over the years the times together with your Wonderful daughter Silva & Dick Bigler who are our Best friends. Love & Tolerance Rick Dahlke & Sandy Dahlke

Rick Dahlke

Houston, TX

Heartfelt sympathy for your loss of your father. He was, indeed, an officer and a gentleman! We considered him a friend and were privileged to have known him.

Sally Stiernberg

Austin, TX

Thank you for your faithful service Col. Sledge. May God bless you and your family always.

Michael McAnulty

Condolences(7)

Nancy and Carter ConlinHouston, TX

Friday, December 08, 2017

Dear Sylvia and Dick:We did not hear about your father's passing until too late to attend the services on December 8th. That is amazing that his services were held exactly on the same date that he volunteered for the Air Force 76 years ago. Tom had an outstanding career in the Air Force and also continued by his establishing the local ROTC unit. I know that he greatly enjoyed history and especially World War II military history because he made a significant part of it by his Air Force service. His interest was not confined to the aviation branch. He showed a great deal of interest in the naval history that I discussed with him at your house during one of our visits. It was a thrill for me to introduce him to the survivors of the USS Houston after I had told them the story about his being the bombardier who had attacked the ship that was transporting them to their POW camp near Rangoon, Burma during World War II. It was fortunate that his bombs were near misses. He was a fine gentleman and I know that you both will miss him a great deal as will we but you can rejoice in the fact that he had a very full and productive life. With our sympathies, Nancy and Carter Conlin

Tamara ForsbeckLeander, TX

Thursday, December 07, 2017

Thank you for your service Colonel. You were a remarkable man with pure integrity that you instilled in your children. Wishing the family peace to bring comfort, courage to face the days ahead and loving memories to forever hold in your hearts. With sincerest love and sympathy~Tamara & Kelly

Rick and Sandy Dahlke, Adrianne and MichelleHouston, TX

Thursday, December 07, 2017

Dear Sylvia, We are so very sorry for your loss. Your dad was a strong force of nature and we really enjoyed getting to know him. We love you and Dick and Sydney and are thinking about you and your family at this difficult time. Rick, Sandy, Adrianne and Michelle and Families.

Kathy WhiteMontgomery, TX

Wednesday, December 06, 2017

We have lost a great man!! My prayers are for the family during this very difficult time! May God comfort and give you peace.

Rick DahlkeHouston, TX

Tuesday, December 05, 2017

Thank you Tom for you Service & I will remember the good times eating out at our seafood place. Over the years the times together with your Wonderful daughter Silva & Dick Bigler who are our Best friends. Love & Tolerance Rick Dahlke & Sandy Dahlke

Sally StiernbergAustin, TX

Tuesday, December 05, 2017

Heartfelt sympathy for your loss of your father. He was, indeed, an officer and a gentleman! We considered him a friend and were privileged to have known him.

Michael McAnultyHouston, TX

Monday, December 04, 2017

Thank you for your faithful service Col. Sledge. May God bless you and your family always.